Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
In particular, knowledge of mathematics is essential to guarantee rights to ancestral
lands following the 1988 Brazilian Constitution, and since 2007 according to the UN
DRIP, when this international document was finally adopted by the United Nations.
Guarani, Terena, Kaingang, Krenak, and Pankararu map-making activities in
Southern Brazil, explored in this chapter, convey some key human rights of particular
importance to Indigenous Peoples throughout the world today. These include the right
In the UN DRIP, the right to self-determination, collective rights, and the
right to development
may be expressed through:
Self-determination:
-
Autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local
affairs;
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Respect for the principle of free, prior and informed consent;
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Full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples at every stage of any
action that may affect them direct or indirectly;
-
Formal recognition of Indigenous Peoples' traditional institutions, internal
justice and conflict-resolution systems, and ways of socio-political
organization;
-
Recognition of the right of Indigenous peoples to freely define and pursue
their economic, social and cultural development.
Collective rights:
Recognition of the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples is
necessary to ensure their continuing existence, development and well-being as
distinct collectivities. Included in the Declaration are:
-
Recognition of Indigenous Peoples' distinctive histories, languages, identities
and cultures;
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Recognition of Indigenous Peoples' collective right to the lands, territories and
natural resources they have traditionally occupied and used;
-
Recognition of Indigenous Peoples' right to their collectively held traditional
knowledge.
The right to development
: Indigenous Peoples have the right to define and decide
on their own development priorities including participation in the formulation,
implementation, and evaluation of plans and programs for national and regional
development that may affect them. Historically, Indigenous Peoples' lands have
been disproportionately affected by development activities because they often
contain valuable natural resources including timber, minerals, biodiversity
resources, water, and oil, among others.
(Download the complete text of the UN DRIP at
www.un.org
)
